"Just days earlier, Sony pulled The Interview after ominous threats were made, allegedly by a group that hacked the studio's emails. The nation's largest theater chains had also said they won't show the movie.

"The FBI says North Korea was behind the hacks, but Pyongyang — while describing the hack as "righteous" — has denied any role. Some experts also doubt whether the communist country has the capability to carry out such an attack."

John Levin, who owns the West End Cinema in Washington, told NPR that demand for the movie was high, and he called Sony's decision to stream the movie wise.

He said: "It is extremely unusual that indie theaters are a lifeline for a major studio like Sony and we're very happy to be partners with Sony and showing this film."